Tent with hinged door or window

ABSTRACT

A hinged door ( 26 ) is provided for a tent ( 20 ). The hinged tent door ( 26 ) in one embodiment includes a frame ( 46 ) for supporting the outer edges of the door. The hinged tent door ( 26 ) may include a removable frame ( 46 ) so that the door may be folded along with the tent into a compact configuration for storage. As an example, the frame ( 46 ) may be one or more poles ( 48, 50 ) that are removably attached to the door.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of PCT/US2006/039815, filed Oct. 6, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/733,303, filed Nov. 3, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tents, and more particularly to tent construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tents are portable structures made of lightweight, often waterproof, fabrics. Typically, a tent is a collapsible shelter of polyester or other material stretched over and supported by a frame, such as one or more poles. Tents are used for camping outdoors, or as temporary structures. Tents come in a variety of shapes, including dome and cabin style tents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with an embodiment, a hinged door is provided for a tent. The hinged tent door in one embodiment includes a frame for supporting the outer edges of the door. The door is thus supported as a structure, and is hinged to the tent, much like the doorway of a house.

In an embodiment, the hinged tent door includes a removable frame so that the door may be folded, along with the tent, into a compact configuration for storage or transport. As an example, the frame may include one or more poles that are removably attached to the door.

In an alternate embodiment, the frame may be an air frame, in which case the frame is deflated, instead of removed, for storage. In still another embodiment, the frame may be sufficiently flexible to be folded with the tent, but yet provides sufficient structural integrity to support the door when in use.

Mechanical hinge structures may be provided that are attached to the tent and the door and that permit the door to be hinged outward from the tent. As an alternative, the fabric of the tent may serve as a hinge, or a plastic hinge may be used that serves as a living hinge. As another embodiment, a hinge may not be used, and the door may be attached so that it may rotate relative to the tent, for example by capturing a pole on the door in a sleeve on the tent. The door may also be attached for rotation relative to a pole that is attached to the tent.

In an embodiment, the opening that the door covers, i.e., the doorway, may be supported by a frame. This doorway frame may support both the attachment of the hinged door and the tent doorway. A pole, hinge, or other structure may also be provided that supports the door where it is attached to the doorway.

In an embodiment, the door may be a screen door having a frame. A flap may attach on the outside of the screen for covering the screen. The flap may attach, for example, by a zipper.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial side perspective view of a tent in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of a door for the tent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a hinge for the door of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another tent in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a hinge for a door of the tent shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is yet another tent in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a hinge for a door of the tent in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a tent in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of yet another tent in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of still another tent in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the tent of FIG. 10, with a door for the tent lifted into an awning position;

FIG. 12 shows hinges that may be used for a tent door or window in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows another hinge that may be used for a tent door or window in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows hinges that may be used for a tent door or window in accordance with yet another embodiment

FIG. 15 shows hinges that may be used for a tent door or window in accordance with still another embodiment;

FIG. 16 shows hinges that may be used for a tent door or window in accordance with yet still another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a partial side perspective view of a tent in accordance with yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a tent 20 in accordance with an embodiment. The tent 20 shown in the drawings is a “dome” style tent, although features of the invention may be used in different models of tent, whether dome, another type of free-standing tent, cabin, or other models. Thus, although described with reference to the tent 20 and other tents herein, the invention may be utilized with many different tent structures and may also be used in fabric structures other than tents, such as shelters. However, the invention has particular relevance to free-standing tents. By “free-standing,” we mean tents that may be assembled and that are self supporting without guy lines or stakes. An example is a dome tent. Again, although particularly relevant to free-standing tents, aspects of the invention may be used in other style tents.

The tent 20 includes walls 22 and poles 24 for supporting the walls and the tent in a manner known in the art. By “walls,” for embodiments, we include portions of the tent that might typically cover the top of the tent. In accordance with an embodiment, a novel door 26 is provided that is hinged to the tent 20, for example to one of the tent walls 22. The hinged door 26 may be opened and used in much the same manner as a door for a house. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a hinged door 26, aspects of the invention may be used for a hinged window as well.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a structure is provided around a doorway for the door 26. The structure supports the doorway, so that there is relatively little flexibility to the doorway and the doorway does not collapse. In this manner, the door may fit against the doorway in a more precise manner. However, a reinforcing structure for the doorway is not required. Although “doorway” is used herein to describe the opening that a door closes or covers, “doorway” as used herein includes the opening of a window, as many embodiments herein may also be used for window covers as well as doors.

In an embodiment, the structure for the doorway includes a C-shaped pole 34 that fits into a frame upper sleeve 28, a frame lower sleeve 30, and a frame releasable sleeve 32 that runs along a side edge of the doorway. The releasable sleeve 32 may be, for example, attachable around the C-shaped pole 34 by hook and loop fasteners, a zipper, or another releasable connector. The C-shaped pole 34 may be, for example, formed from pole segments, may be a shock-corded pole, or may be a single pole bent to the C shape.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a similar structure is provided for support of the door 26. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a door upper sleeve 40, a door lower sleeve 42, and a door releasable sleeve 44 are positioned around outer edges of the door 26. These sleeves 40, 42, 44 receive another C-shaped pole 46. As shown in FIG. 2, this C-shaped pole 46 may, for example, include a pair of right angle bends 48 and shock-corded poles 50 extending between the bends.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the door 26 includes a screen window 52 at an upper half of the door. This screen window includes a flap 54 that may be rolled over the screen window 52 to protect the inside of the tent 20 from the weather. If a user desires to open the window 52, this flap 54 may be rolled downward and tied or otherwise secured in a manner known in the art. In an alternate embodiment, the screen 52 and the flap 54 may cover the entire doorway so that the door 26 may serve as a screen door along its entire length.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 26 includes a doorknob 56. This doorknob 56 may include an appropriate latch which may, for example, engage some structure on the outer portion of the door opening upon rotation of the doorknob. The door 26 also includes a zipper 58 around its perimeter that attaches just inside of the sleeves 28, 30, 32. If desired, other structures may be provided for attaching the door to the doorway, such as hook and loop fasteners, loop and toggle fasteners, ties, magnets, clips, clasps, or other suitable releasable connectors.

In some tents, the walls 22 of the tent 20 are sloped to lean inward from bottom to top. In an embodiment, such sloped walls are provided on the tent 20. As such, the door 26 is biased towards a closed position. Thus, fasteners are not required to keep the door 26 in place, but may be helpful in keeping the door closed in windy conditions.

A hinge 60 for the door 26 is shown in FIG. 3. Two such hinges may be used, one each on the top and bottom of the door 26. The hinge 60 shown in the drawing includes two posts 62, 64 that are rotatable relative to one another. For example, one of the posts 62, 64 may be attached to a cylinder 66, and the other post 64 may be rotatably mounted on the cylinder 66. Ends of the poles 46 and 34 attach to the posts 62, 64, for example by sliding over the posts.

The hinges 60 provide a connection of the door 26 to the frame pole 34, and thus provide support for the door 26. Additional support may be provided, such as by attaching the hinge directly to the tent 20.

FIG. 4 shows a tent 100 in accordance with another embodiment. The tent 100 is also a free standing tent and includes a hinged door 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the door 102 includes supports for both the door 102 and the doorway for a door. For the doorway, a frame sleeve 104 extends around its perimeter, with the exception of the side to which the door attaches. A frame pole 106 (the end of which is shown in FIG. 5) is fitted into the frame sleeve 104. This frame pole 106 may be, as examples, a pole that is permanently positioned in the sleeve 104, or a single, flexible pole that bends to fit within the frame sleeve 104. For the flexible pole embodiment, a user may insert the frame pole 106 at one end of the sleeve and snake it through the sleeve until the end of the pole extends through the opposite end of the sleeve. As another alternative, the pole 106 may be segmented or shock-corded, and the sleeve may be designed to removably receive such a shock-corded pole.

The door 102 includes a similar door sleeve 108 and door pole 110. The door pole 110 may be maintained in the door sleeve 108 in the same manner as described with the frame pole 106, or using a different technique or structure.

A hinge 112 for the door 102 is shown in FIG. 5. In an embodiment, such a hinge 112 is positioned at each of the top and the bottom of the door 102. The hinge 112 attaches to the tent 100 at pockets 114, 116. Much like the hinge 60 shown in FIG. 3, the hinge 112 includes a pair of rotatable posts 118, 120 for receiving ends of the frame pole 106 and the door pole 110, respectively. These rotatable posts 118, 120 may be mounted on a cylinder 122 and may rotate thereon. Alternatively, one of the posts, such as the post 120, may rotate about the cylinder 122, and the other post 118 may be attached to the cylinder. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the opposite ends of the cylinder 122 fit into the pockets 114, 116, and hold the hinge 112 in place. In this manner, the hinges 112 support the door 102.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a tent 200 having a door 202 similar to the door 102 in FIG. 4. The door 202 includes a pole 210 for the door, and a sleeve 208 for receiving the pole. A similar pole and sleeve are included around the opening for the door 202. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, however, a hinge 212 (FIG. 7) is connected to the fabric for the tent, and not the support structure (i.e., the pole) for the doorway. This hinge 212 is mounted in pockets 214, 216, similar to the pockets 114, 116 described with respect to FIG. 5. A single post 218 is attached to a cylinder 222. The post 218 attaches to the door pole 110, and the door pole and the door 202 are free to rotate about the hinge 212 while being supported by the hinge.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a tent 300 having a door 302. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the door 302 is positioned against an edge of the tent so that it may be supported by one of the poles 304 that runs along the corner edge of the tent and supports the tent. The doorway for the door 302 is supported by a frame pole 306 that fits into a pole sheath 308. This pole 306 may be a flexible pole, such as a shock-corded pole, that may be extended into the pole sheath 308 and bent to fit the sheath as described above. Pockets 310 may be positioned at ends of the pole sheath 308 for receiving the ends of the frame pole 306. A similar pole sheath 312 and pole 314 may be provided for the door 302. A zipper 316 may be used to close the door 302. Hook and loop fasteners 318 or other suitable attachment structures may be used for temporary attachment of the door to the opening. In the embodiment shown, nylon or other suitable fabric may be used around the inside of the opening for the door 302 as a stop 320 to prevent the door from extending into the tent 300 when closed. This door stop 320 also improves the rain-proof characteristics of the door 302.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of a tent 400 having a door 402 that is somewhat similar to the door 302 in FIG. 8. The door 402 and the doorway for the door may be similarly supported by a door pole 414 and a frame pole 406. The door 402, however, is positioned toward the center of the tent, and a door support pole 405 extends downward from the tent poles 404 to support the weight of the door. This door support pole 405 extends into a pole sheath 407 at the juncture of the door 402 and an opening for the door.

Unlike the tent 300 in FIG. 8, the ends of the door pole 414 and the frame pole 406 extend into hinges that are rotatably mounted to the door support pole 405 as is shown in FIG. 9. This rotatable attachment may be similar to any of the above-described hinges.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a tent 500. The tent 500 includes a door 502 that opens outward from a bottom end and that may be fixed as an awning as shown in FIG. 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the door 502 connects to a top part of the doorway for the door by a fabric hinge 504. A door pole 506 extends through sleeves 508, 510, and 512, for example, in much the manner of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The bottom sleeve 512 may, for example, be releasable.

The door 502 includes a grommet 514 at a lower part of the door that attaches to a strap 516 when the door 502 is in an open position. In this manner, the door is supported outward in an awning-type manner.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the frame for the doorway of the door 502 is also supported by a pole 518 in a manner as described above. The pole 518 may be attached to the opening, for example by three sleeves 520, 522, 524.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of hinges 600 that may be used for a door or window of a tent in accordance with an embodiment. The hinges 600 are attached by a pole 602. The pole may extend, for example, along an edge of a doorway or a window. Each of the hinges 600 includes a post section 603 and a rotatable section 604. The rotatable section 604 may be arranged, for example, to rotate on the pole 602. Poles 605 extend outward from the rotatable section 604.

The post sections 603 each include an L-shaped bracket. Thus, the two post sections 603 and the pole 602, when connected, define a structure in which posts 606 extend outward from each of the post sections. These posts 606 may be inserted, for example, into pockets on a side of a tent. Preferably, the pockets are arranged so that the post sections 603 place the area of the tent in tension, providing structure for one side of the frame for the doorway.

The door supported by the hinges 600 includes a frame. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the frame consists of the poles 605 which support the outer perimeter of the door. The poles may be a single U-shaped pole or may be connected to one or more other poles so that support for the periphery of the door is provided.

The hinges 600 provide a structure that is quickly attachable to a tent and that provides a hinged door or window for the tent. The posts 606 may be removed from the pockets of the tent to remove the door and allow compact folding of the tent.

FIG. 13 shows another hinge 700 that may be utilized with a hinged door or window in accordance with an embodiment. The hinge 700 includes a base section 702 and a rotating section 704. The base section 702 and the rotating section 704 each include a socket 706, 708, respectively, for receiving the ends of poles 710, 714. The base section 702 and rotating section 704 are connected by a living hinge section 716. The entire hinge may be formed of a flexible plastic, such as urethane. The hinge section 716 is formed thinner than the base and rotating sections 702, 704 so as to provide the living hinge function. If desired, the base section 702 may be sewn to the outside of a doorway or window opening for a tent. Likewise, the rotating section 704 may be sewn to a door or window for the tent. Pole pockets may be provided for removably receiving poles for the doorway and the door frame.

A similar hinge 700 may be provided at a lower end of the door. Thus, the two hinges 700 provide support for the doorway and a hingeable door for the doorframe. In an alternate embodiment, the hinge 700 may be used with only a single socket in the rotating section 704, and the base section 702 may be sewn or otherwise connected directly to the tent.

FIG. 14 shows yet another embodiment of hinges 800 that may be utilized with a hinged door. The hinges 800 include sockets 802, 804 aligned perpendicularly to one another and for receiving poles 806, 808.

The hinge 800 does not flex or provide a hinging function, but instead maintains the poles 806, 808 in perpendicular alignment with one another. Thus, the pole 808 may be rotatingly received in a sleeve, and locked for position in that sleeve by attachment of the hinges 800 to opposite ends. The poles 806 may provide structure for the door. Thus, a door supported by the hinges 800 may rotate about the pole 808 and may be supported by the poles 806.

FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of a hinge structure 850 that may be used with a tent door in accordance with an embodiment. The hinge structure 850 includes a semi-rigid or rigid ring 852 that is sewn into, or otherwise attached to, the walls of a tent. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the rings 852 are sewn into the tent wall fabric via stitches, shown by the dotted lines 854.

A vertical pole 856 extends between the two rings 852. The vertical pole 856 includes ferrules 858 on both ends, and a hook 860 attached to the ferrules. The hook 860 hooks around the ring 852, and the connection of the vertical pole 856 to the two rings 852 provides vertical separation of, and support for, the hinge structure 850.

A C-shaped pole 870 is provided for support of an outer perimeter of a door. This C-shaped door pole 870 includes ferrules 872 at its ends, and hooks 874 attached to the ferrules. The hooks 874 loop into the rings 852. The round cross section of the portion of the ring 852 that connects to the hooks 874 permits the hooks, and therefore the C-shaped frame 870, to rotate relative to a doorway for a tent to which the hinge structure 850 is attached.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a hinge structure 900 that may be used to support a tent door or window. The hinge structure 900 includes webbing 902 at upper and lower portions of the doorway. Each webbing includes a grommet 904. A vertical pole 906 includes pins 908 that extend into the grommets. The pins 908 lock the vertical pole 906 in place, and the vertical pole 906 thereby provides structure for the doorway.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a C-shaped door pole 910 is provided to support the outer perimeter of a door. Ferrules 912 are connected to both ends of the C-shaped door pole 910. C-shaped flexible clips 914 are connected to the ferrules 912. These C-shaped clips clip onto the vertical 906, and are free to rotate around the pole. In this manner, a door connected to the hinge system 900 is hingeable. In an alternate embodiment, the C-shaped clips 914 lock on to the vertical pole 906, and the pole rotates with the C-shaped door pole 910.

FIG. 17 shows yet another embodiment of a tent 950. The tent 950 includes a door 952 having a doorway 954. In accordance with the embodiment, the door 952 includes an air frame 956 around its outer perimeter. The air frame 956 includes a valve 958 for inflating the air frame. The air frame 956 may be, for example, an air bladder configured to receive pressurized air. When turgid, the air frame serves as a structure for a device (in this embodiment, the frame of the door 952). For the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air frame 956 replaces the poles in the previous embodiments.

Similarly, a pair of air frames 960, 962 having valves 970, 972, respectively, may be provided for supporting the doorway 954. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, when the door 952 is closed over the doorway 954, the air frame 956 for the door fits between the two air frames 960, 962 for the doorway 954. Although the embodiment in FIG. 17 includes two air frames 956 for supporting the doorway 954, one air frame or more than two air frames may be used. Similarly, the door 952 may be supported by more than one air frame.

If desired, air frames may be utilized to structurally support other parts of a door, window, or opening. In addition to the perimeter support shown in the drawings, a door may be supported, for example, at intermediate locations along the door.

In another embodiment, the frame for a door or window may be foldable. In such an embodiment, the frame may be permanently sewn to the tent and is flexible enough to be folded along with the tent. This type of frame is often used in collapsible fabric laundry baskets, foldable fabric hats, and foldable fabric sun shades.

Other variations are possible. For example, the poles and other structures described herein may be used on a window, allowing the window to be hinged open, or to be used as an awning. In addition, a very large door may be provided on the back or side of the tent, similar to the door 502 in FIG. 10. This large door may provide a patio or cover for a vehicle. As such, the vehicle may be protected from the weather and/or the vehicle may be easily unloaded into a tent.

The door 502 may be supported in a way other than the strap 516. For example, a pole or other structure may be used for support.

Embodiments of the doors described herein are fully supported about their perimeters during use, for example by poles, but the support structure for most of the doors may be removed so that the door may be folded with the tent into a compact storage configuration. In addition, the poles or other supporting structure for the doors may be broken down for efficient storage and transport. However, the perimeter support on the doors permits the doors to have a form and to hinge outward from the tent.

The doors of the invention may be used for closable openings other than windows and doors, including pet doors, pet flaps, tent or shelter vents, and skylights.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A fabric structure, comprising: a frame for permitting the fabric structure to be free standing; at least one wall supported by the frame; an opening in said at least one wall for a window or a door; a panel for closing the opening, the panel comprising sleeve along a perimeter; one and only one pole flexed to removably received within the sleeve to extend along the sleeve; and a hinge structure for permitting the panel to rotate away from and toward the opening while the panel is supported by the frame.
 2. The fabric structure of claim 1, wherein said one and only one pole comprises a shock corded pole.
 3. The fabric structure of claim 1, wherein the panel is hinged from one side of the opening.
 4. The fabric structure of claim 1, wherein the one side comprises a structural support of the frame.
 5. The fabric structure of claim 4, wherein the structural support comprises a frame pole extending along the one side.
 6. The fabric structure of claim 5, wherein the frame pole extends from a bottom of the structure toward a top of the structure.
 7. The fabric structure of claim 6, wherein the hinge structure comprises at least one piece rotatively mounted on the pole.
 8. The fabric structure of claim 7, wherein the panel frame comprises a frame that extends around the panel and includes the pole, and wherein the pole is captured in a sleeve at the one side, and the hinge structure comprises rotation of the pole in the sleeve.
 9. A fabric structure, comprising: a frame for permitting the fabric structure to be free standing; at least one wall supported by the frame; an opening in said at least one wall for a window or a door; a panel for closing the opening; a panel frame for supporting a perimeter of the panel; a sleeve mounted along one side of the opening; and a hinge structure comprising a pole connected to the panel and captured in the sleeve at the one side, such that rotation of the pole in the sleeve permits the panel to rotate about one side of the opening away from and toward the opening while the panel is supported by the frame.
 10. The fabric structure of claim 9, wherein the pole is removably connected to two pockets on opposite ends of the one side.
 11. The fabric structure of claim 10, wherein the hinge structure comprises two hinges, one at each end of the pole, each hinge comprising a post section for seating in the pocket, and a rotation section for rotating relative to the pole and connecting to the panel frame.
 12. The fabric structure of claim 10, wherein the hinge structure comprises two hinges, one at each end of the pole, each hinge comprising a single piece having first connector for attaching to the pole, a second connector for attaching to the panel frame, and a living hinge between the first and second connectors.
 13. The fabric structure of claim 10, wherein the hinge structure comprises two hinges, one at each end of the pole, each hinge comprising a ring attached to the wall, and wherein the frame comprises a first hook for attaching to the ring of a first of the two hinges, and a second hook for attaching to the ring of the second of the two hinges, the hooks being configured to allow rotation of the hooks about the rings.
 14. The fabric structure of claim 10, wherein the pole includes pins at each end, and wherein the pins extend into grommets in webbing attached to the wall.
 15. The fabric structure of claim 14, wherein the panel frame is connected to the pole by clips.
 16. A fabric structure, comprising: a frame for permitting the fabric structure to be free standing; at least one wall supported by the frame; an opening in said at least one wall for a window or a door; a panel for closing the opening; a panel frame for supporting a perimeter of the panel; and a hinge structure for permitting the panel to rotate away from and toward the opening while the panel is supported by the frame, wherein the hinge structure comprises two hinges, one at each side of the panel frame, each hinge comprising a connector for connecting to the panel frame and a segment for seating in a pocket, the segment being configured and arranged to rotate in the pocket as the panel rotates.
 17. A fabric structure, comprising: a frame for permitting the fabric structure to be free standing; at least one wall supported by the frame; an opening in said at least one wall for a window or a door; a panel for closing the opening; a panel frame for supporting a perimeter of the panel; and a hinge structure for permitting the panel to rotate away from and toward the opening while the panel is supported by the frame, the hinge structure comprising first and second portions separated by a living hinge, the first portion being attached directly to said at least one wall, and the second portion being attached to the panel frame.
 18. A tent, comprising: a tent frame for permitting the tent to be free standing; at least one wall supported by the frame; an opening in said at least one wall for a window or a door; a panel for closing the opening; a panel frame for supporting a perimeter of the panel; and a hinge structure for permitting the panel to rotate about a top side of the opening away from and toward the opening while the panel is supported by the frame.
 19. The tent of claim 18, further comprising a structure for supporting the panel in an orientation that is more horizontal than vertical.
 20. The tent of claim 18, wherein the structure comprises a strap that is removable connectable between the panel and a location on the tent above the opening. 